It’s odd— even though being a music critic is what I’m officially qualified to do, for some reason I’ve avoided posting album reviews and the like here. Perhaps I don’t feel I’m well-enough versed in Turkish music yet to have an informed opinion, or maybe I just thought I’d leave music reviews to the music blogs and podcasts. But yesterday Emirhan brought home a CD by a Turkish band I’d never heard of, and demanded that I listen to it there and then, because he thought it would be of great interest to me… and he was right.
Dolapdere Big Gang [wiki] are an ensemble from Istanbul, dedicated to reproducing western hits in the Alaturca style. This is entertaining and amusing in equal amounts, but make no mistake— Dolapdere Big Gang are not a novelty band. They are in fact a group of highly trained professional musicians, and their skill at both creating both Alaturca-style music and interesting covers is impressive to say the least. I know those of you who buy Turkish CDs are going to want to add this to your collection; do yourself a favour and visit Dolapdere Big Gang’s myspace and have a listen to their fantastic version of “La Isla Bonita.” It’s my favourite track on the album. Their official web site is available in both Turkish and English. [Link]
I really like the cover of “Losing My Religion” Emir Yesil does a pretty good impersonation of Michael Stipe.
I really like the cover of “Losing My Religion” Emir Yesil does a pretty good impersonation of Michael Stipe.
Last week they had a gig at my work… I guess my newspaper is somehow linked with them (more than a sponsorship, it seems)
They are really having fun when it’s a live performance. I surely prefer it to their albums. (I had their album and I guess I listen it just because it’s an original idea, not because they practice it so good)
Last week they had a gig at my work… I guess my newspaper is somehow linked with them (more than a sponsorship, it seems)
They are really having fun when it’s a live performance. I surely prefer it to their albums. (I had their album and I guess I listen it just because it’s an original idea, not because they practice it so good)
I am a cover song junkie and I love this! Now I just need to figure out how to get a copy. It looks like ebay may be the only way to get it here in the US. The two people I found selling it both have multiple copies though so I may need to buy extras to spread the love to my other friends who love covers!
I definitely need at least one extra to send to Brian at Coverville. As the person who does his database for licensing fees I know for a fact that he’s never played them.
If you love cover songs and you haven’t listened to the Coverville podcast yet, you really should. http://www.coverville.com
~Sharon
I am a cover song junkie and I love this! Now I just need to figure out how to get a copy. It looks like ebay may be the only way to get it here in the US. The two people I found selling it both have multiple copies though so I may need to buy extras to spread the love to my other friends who love covers!
I definitely need at least one extra to send to Brian at Coverville. As the person who does his database for licensing fees I know for a fact that he’s never played them.
If you love cover songs and you haven’t listened to the Coverville podcast yet, you really should. http://www.coverville.com
~Sharon
Just back from a week in Turkey. Chanced on this album by visiting a cafe in Bodrum where they were playing a different album called ‘In the BuzzBag’ by Brooklyn Funk Essentials which featured Laco Tayfa. Really good stuff so we asked who it was. This sparked off a really generous hour of chat about music, the owner of the cafe went out of her way to talk to us and went up the road to a music store, unfortunately they did not have In the BuzzBag but she came back with Local Strangers. We were sold instantly and went and got a copy. Back home (UK) now and listening, brilliant! Definately not one of those holiday buys that you later regret. Oh and by the way, we also managed to find a copy of In the BuzzBag, go listen you’ll love that as well.
Just back from a week in Turkey. Chanced on this album by visiting a cafe in Bodrum where they were playing a different album called ‘In the BuzzBag’ by Brooklyn Funk Essentials which featured Laco Tayfa. Really good stuff so we asked who it was. This sparked off a really generous hour of chat about music, the owner of the cafe went out of her way to talk to us and went up the road to a music store, unfortunately they did not have In the BuzzBag but she came back with Local Strangers. We were sold instantly and went and got a copy. Back home (UK) now and listening, brilliant! Definately not one of those holiday buys that you later regret. Oh and by the way, we also managed to find a copy of In the BuzzBag, go listen you’ll love that as well.
@HellZiggy: have you tried any of the Asian / Turkish music stores online? I’d be surprised if you can’t find it that way.
@Jim: willl definitely check out In The BuzzBag, thanks for the recommendation!
@HellZiggy: have you tried any of the Asian / Turkish music stores online? I’d be surprised if you can’t find it that way.
@Jim: willl definitely check out In The BuzzBag, thanks for the recommendation!
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